Improvement in corpse-lifters



1. 1. FLANNERY.

Corpse-Lifter.

N0. 168,47], Patented Oct. 5J875.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES J. FLANNERY, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

-IMPROVEMENT IN CORPSE-LIFTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 168,471, dated October 5, 1875; application filed July 2, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JAMES J. FLANNERY, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Adjusting Corpses; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, in which the figure is aside view of my invention.

My invention relates to a device for lifting and adjusting corpses in coffins, having reference particularly to lifting the corpse into, and arranging it in, the coffin without disturbing the position of the hands or arms, which are generally set soon after death, and before the body is coffined. It consists simply in a broad belt or strap, furnished on its upper sides with two strong handles, the same being capable of bending, to allow the withdrawal under the body after adjustment, and in an adjusting strap or straps at the middle or side ofthe main belt, so as to make it fit any-sized body. the whole being adjustable by the connectingstrap.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A designates a broad belt of leather, web, or other material, furnished with the connectingstrap a and two handles,B, and may be with or without the adjusting-strap G, in which latter case strap a serves for adjusting.

When a body is laid out and dressed the hands are generally folded over the breast, or otherwise arranged in becoming position. On removing the body into the coffin it is desirable to do so without disturbing the positions given, and my device performs that admirably, at the same time affording agrip on the body, whereby it may be conveniently lifted and carried from place to place, or it may be moved from side to side or'end to end inside the coffin, without moving the position of hands or arms, until the exact position is attained, after which the strap a is loosened and the device withdrawn, leaving the body properly adjusted.

Having fully described my invention, I claim- A corpse lifter and adjuster, consisting of adjustable strap A, provided with flexible hinged or yielding handles B, and either with or without adjusters G, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of June, 1875.

JAMES J. FLANNERY.

Witnesses:

T. J. MGTIGHE, A. GOROORAN. 

